Anthony Vargas knew exactly what he needed to do to etch his name into the WFISD record book.

Wichita Falls High School’s senior quarterback was aware that seven was the program record for more touchdown passes in a game. His father, Jorge Vargas Sr., had told him so at halftime of the Coyotes’ District 3-5A Division II matchup with Abilene Wylie.

Anthony Vargas had five touchdowns at the half and threw his sixth and seventh scores in a 13-second span early in the third quarter.

The record-breaking pass came on a 7-yard slant route that junior receiver Isaiah Johnson turned into a 59-yard touchdown with 4:14 left in the third quarter. Vargas had snapped Dylan Sheffield’s seven-year-old record of seven touchdowns in a single game, a feat Sheffield achieved twice in the 2011 season.

For Vargas, it was a statement of proving he belongs.

“I’ve always been counted out,” Vargas said. “I just wanted to make a statement about my high-school career. It’s a big thing to me. I’m just trying to get my name in the record book.”

Sheffield still holds the single-game passing yards record with 663, which was a state record when he set it in 2011. Vargas had the second most passing yards in a game in program history with 558. He also has the third most passing yards in a game with 525, achieved last season in a loss to Chisholm Trail.

“I was trying to figure out what my passing yards were at halftime,” Vargas said. “I wanted to get both records but just one is good for me.”

Vargas spread the wealth around, throwing four TDs to senior A.J. Byrd, three to Johnson and one to junior Tre McKenzie. The Coyotes were able to take advantage of mismatches with Wylie giving both man-to-man and cover 2 looks.

Byrd tied the WFHS record with his four receiving TDs. He's the third WFHS receiver to find the end zone that many times in a game. Devontay Chafin did it in 2010 and Chance Garey achieved it in 2011.

Wylie defensive back Jaden Speegle (3) pulls down Coyote wide receiver Tre Mckenzie (3) Friday during their district game at Wylie High School. WFHS won 64-22.(Photo: Gary Rhodes/Special to the Reporter-News)

“I trust all of my receivers to catch the ball,” Vargas said. “When I see they’re one-on-one then I know they’re about to beat that guy and be open. There were times I audibled to a fade for Isaiah because he was so much bigger than the guy covering him.”

Vargas entered this season as Old High’s starting quarterback hoping to outperform the numbers his brother posted during his senior year at Rider. Jorge Vargas Jr. threw for 2,476 yards, 24 touchdowns and six interceptions, completing 150 of 250 passes.

“He came up to me after the game and told me I was doing things he was never able to do,” Vargas said of his older brother who is redshirting at Southeastern Oklahoma University this season. “He never threw for that many touchdowns in a game.”

The younger Vargas currently sits at 2,053 yards, 18 touchdowns and five interceptions, completing 151 of 246 attempts, with at least three games to play. He’s averaging 293.3 yards and 2.5 TDs per game. At that rate, Vargas should easily surpass his older brother.

And that’s if the Coyotes don’t make the playoffs. Their chances of qualifying for the postseason improved dramatically with Friday’s win. They likely only need one win in the final three games against Lubbock Cooper, Plainview and Rider to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2014.

“Half of me was filled with pride and joy after the game,” Vargas said. “The other half was still focused on moving forward and trying to win more games for this team. Ultimately I’m focused on the main game and that’s going to the playoffs.”